Museum of Life Sciences
The LSUS Museum of Life Sciences was established in 1968 as a scientific research and teaching unit of the university. Today the Museum houses nearly 100,000 cataloged specimens, including freshwater mussels, crayfish, spiders, fish, amphibians and reptiles, birds, mammals, vascular plants, and insects, collected from throughout the Ark-La-Tex, the greater US southeast, and from countries around the world (including Mexico, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Canada, Kenya, India, Oman, Chile, and more). These collections have formed the basis of more than 200 peer-reviewed scientific papers by LSUS students and faculty, and serve as a lasting record of past and present biodiversity—data that informs research on evolutionary history, supports conservation and habitat management, and helps shape environmental policy. The Museum's mission is to document, preserve, and examine the natural history of life, while enhancing educational opportunities at LSUS through inquiry-driven, hands-on experiential learning.
FAQs
Where is the museum located?
The Museum of Life Sciences (MLS) is on the main campus, near the University Center, immediately north of the large radio tower. You can find us on the campus map.
When is the museum open?
The MLS is not open to the public per se (as we have no public exhibits), but it is occasionally opened up for visiting researchers/students, small group tours from the community (5-10 people/students max.), and is used by the Bird Study Group for their monthly meetings. If you would like to visit the museum, please email the Director (contact info. below). If you are a researcher or graduate student and would like to arrange a collections visit or you have a data or specimen loan request, please contact one of the Curators (contact info. below).
If it's not open to the public, what's the role of the MLS?
Like most natural history museums, the MLS exists primarily as a scientific research collection rather than a public exhibit space. Our specimens document the plants and animals of our region through time, providing a permanent record that researchers and students use to study biodiversity, evolution, and environmental change—work that depends on careful curation rather than public display. Preserving and studying these specimens is part of the Museum's core mission.
Can I get involved?!
If you're a currently enrolled student at LSUS, we regularly host volunteers to help take care of the collections. Just reach out to one of the curators (contact details below) with your name and some information about yourself and we'll respond as soon as we can!
We are currently in the process of developing and hosting community and university outreach modules on local insect, arachnid, and reptile diversity. If you're interested, please contact us to find out more!
